29/01/2021
Bolshunov disqualified for physical altercation as Norway maintain Cross-Country World Cup domination in Lahti
Norway’s domination of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Cross-Country World Cup in Lahti continued as they won both the men’s and women’s relay races on a day when the top Russian men’s team was disqualified following unsporting behaviour by the overall World Cup leader Alexander Bolshunov.
Norway’s respective gold, silver and bronze medallists in the previous day’s 30 kilometres skiathlon - Emil Iversen, Sjur Røthe and Pål Golberg - were joined by fourth-placed Simen Hegstad Krüger and finished 40.9sec clear in the 4x7.5km relay in 1 hour 07min 56.8sec.
The main drama, however, occurred as the last-leg skiers for Finland I and Russia I contested the silver medal on the run-in - respectively Joni Mäki and Bolshunov, who had finished fifth in the previous day’s individual race.
A battle to choose their lines to the finish resulted in "unsportsmanlike behaviour" from Bolshunov, whose actions disqualified his team.
The Russian appeared to strike Mäki with a ski pole, and after the Finn had crossed the line, Bolshunov shoulder-charged him as if the pair were playing ice hockey.
The FIS may yet choose to take further action against Bolshunov, with the Nordic World Ski Championships now less than a month away.
Finland I, 40.9sec adrift of Norway I, took silver, with Mäki being joined by Perttu Hyvärinen, Ristomatti Hakola and Iivo Niskanen.
